Tyco fans,Just received a 235-21 SF Alco 430 Century in the opened original box with the handrail packet uninstalled and the break-in and oiling sheet. I know that this isn't a rare find as compared to other Tycos but it was a blast to have it to open and run on the track and break-in. It had been tested but was used little if at all. I was tempted to leave it in the box but was glad I didn't resist. I already have 2 Mantua SF 430's but wanted an example of the famous Power-torque version.

Congrats. The 430 is perhaps my favorite of Tyco's diesel offerings... it just looks good. Lots of variety in roadnames too.

Eventually, I might like to try collecting all the different 430's I could find... not an easy task with some roadnames, but you could probably get a dozen of the others for a c-note if you luck out in the right places. Even sometimes with Mantua trucks. Handrails are the aggravation though - especially since later (PT) models didn't even include them.

AlcoFan:Be on the lookout, too, for the T235K Alco 430 kits. They came in the lidded hard cardboard box with the Crescent Pacific on the box lid. They are excellent and early offerings with commendable quality control on the mu-2 motor trucks and excellent decoration.MagAc

MA,I think I have a 424 AHM in bi-centennial colors. 4-wheel drive, sort of sporty look but has EMD type fan on roof. I'm having trouble getting the truck off the chassis to solder. I'd buy another one.I would also like to get some of the T235ks. I think I saw one on the bay, NH within the last year, and it was reasonably priced. Thank for the heads-up.

i also have the C424 Bi-Cent. It comes with an open frame 5 pole motor that does run quite well and is quiet. There is enough room to add a flywheel to it as well. I had a spare Cannon motor and used it to replace the original. I also added electical pick-ups so all wheels now collect current. It is a 4 wheel drive with traction tires on 2 wheels. Send me your email address and I will send you photos.

Circlez:Tyco anomalies like 4301 on the goofball Chessie Pacific (competing for stupid livery honors with the Bachmann SP Daylight 4-8-4 in Chessie; sad to say I have both in the roundhouse) are a hazardous means of forum swordplay (too many different ways to get cut.)I was about to suggest that, since you noticed how slick the Alco 430 looks in Penn Central, you hold out for the Tyco 430 Alco sporting the big fat "5628" on the sides and number board. (see early posts)fellow Tycoot,MA

Warbonnet 430:K235C and T235C, was initially listed as Spokane, Portland and Seattle. Like the GBW it was never produced, substituted with the big-selling Warbonnet. It IS a beauty, heading up a few sets as well, the excellent red box set "Alco Action Freight" springing immediately to mind (where the Warbonnet 430 is illustrated on the master-box cover painting.)MagnoliaAcademy

John - oh, had I only known you a few months ago. I had a SF 630 that I cannibalized into rooftop building AC units. The 630 is an impressive beast... but IMHO the SF paint job was very wanting. Can't hold a candle to the 430's, or even the later GP20s. Tha 630 warbonnet was more like a... football.

But something tells me, had they done it in blue... I'da been all over that one.

MagAc - Hmm. So I should skip the mundane and go straight to bloodletting for "rarities", eh? Time to wield the hammer!

Mike:Model Power C-unit differences? You might as well ask me to tell you what its like on the far side of the moon: Model Power is territory I've never explored. Don't know if I should out you on your Alcos, though. They are excellent models.

Circlez:As the keyholder of 430 exotica you, most definitely, need to stick to the rarities. All kidding aside, however, it is darned interesting to me: the sheer number of multiple numbered and cross-numbered units in PC. Seems they are the variation champion in late-red and early brown box offerings. Everything from the 40' box to the switcher to the EMD to the streamliners to the EMD-Fs has variations and multiple numbers (don't recall if GP-20s have the same symptoms). Much like the 4301 on the Chessie long haul steam tender, the big 5628 on the PC Alco 430 looks pretty weird.MagAc

I may be wrong, but I think this 430 is technically a Tyco. I read the info on the Tyco C430 page and now believe this is one of the Mehano replacement locos. It is in Santa Fe colors and has the road number 8130. I bought 8 IHC C430s to use for parts. This loco was thrown in with the bunch.

I may be wrong, but I think this 430 is technically a Tyco. I read the info on the Tyco C430 page and now believe this is one of the Mehano replacement locos. It is in Santa Fe colors and has the road number 8130. I bought 8 IHC C430s to use for parts. This loco was thrown in with the bunch.

Hypoponera:Jeez, Mike, I'll have to take your word for whatever it's pedigree is. When it comes to so-called "brown-box" era Tyco offerings I'm woefully ignorant. I'm sure whatever Professor Emeritus Cook has on the brown box site is reliable. I, personally, lose complete interest in Tyco after about 1978 and the "new" Mantua splinter so I just don't know their stuff.MagAc

Don't feel bad. I really have no great interest in Tyco at all! I found this forum from Mr. Cook's AHM site. I have rebuilt a couple Tyco shells, C630 and GP20. But I have no need now as I can get Mantua GP20s from the mid-1990s. These have great mechanisms so nothing to do but strip and repaint. I might Use another C630 to rebuild an AHM C628 into a low nosed C630.

Mike:No argument from me regarding the last generation of Mantua Geeps--superb operational characteristics, reasonable prices, nice models, quite amenable to super-detailing.MagAcIt was also thoughtful of Mantua to offer a plethora of liveries for the serious ready-to-run fan who prefers operation to modeling.

MagAc - Ooh, do I get to wear a badge? :) I almost hate to admit it, but that infamous find of mine was almost pure luck. It was only thanks to repeated viewings of Tony Cook's site that a lone 430 in the back of a rummage bin made me do a double-take. And it was only the second I'd ever owned. But you're right, it sets a high standard. I'm coming to appreciate the mundane offerings a bit more. Sadly, money's not infinite and my buddy can only get to so many estate sales a year (HO isn't even his thing, anayway).

Circlez:The Tycognoscenti should bestow you with a special hat, actually. We all get defined sometimes by fortunate finds or lucky turns of fate, I suppose. I was "defined" for years as the "kid who owns all the standard gauge." I eliminated that monicker by selling every last bit of it and began exploring the uncharted territory of vintage OO and HO; I've never looked back. It was a relatively lonely passion for a very long time.MagnoliaAcademy

JL Congrats on the CBQ 430. "Good eye" finding one in the AHM page! AF

I just got the following email from the seller. LMAO. Of course I replied to ship it.

quote:

As I was packing your Burlington Locomotive...I found that it is a TYCO instead of AHM and it was in a AHM box. Please let me know if you still want...I am sorry for the mistake...Thanks (name witheld)